A Group of Top Himalayan Buddhist leaders on Monday visited Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang and held a day-long national conference on Nalanda Buddhism Tradition at Gorsam Stupa in Zemithang, the first stop of the 14th Dalai Lama during his flight from China-occupied Tibet in 1959.

It is a rare occasion for top Himalayan Buddhist leaders to come together in such big numbers in the bordering State. The day-long conference, attended by about 600 delegates is also being seen as an attempt to give a strong push to Himalayan Buddhism.

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu said that Buddhist Culture, which thrives on the peaceful co-existence of every sentient being, should only be preserved but also propagated.

He said that the State has a big chunk of the Buddhist Population and “fortunately they have kept their culture and traditions safe with religious fervour.”

“The main pillar on which Nalanda Buddhism stands is the principle of ‘reasoning and analysis’. This means we can even bring the teachings of Lord Buddha under the ambit of reasoning and analysis. This logic is based on science, and perhaps Buddhism is the only religion that gives its followers this liberty,” he said.

Welcoming the delegates from all the Himalayan states of the country’s northern border, CM Khandu reminded them that Arunachal is a “mix of religious followers.”

“Arunachal Pradesh is home not only to Buddhism but to several religions, including those who follow their own indigenous faith. I believe that every religion and faith should flourish and exist peacefully. I am proud that we Arunachalees are doing just that,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition for organising the national conference.

“Zemithang, as you might all know, is the last Indian border through which His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama entered India in 1959. Therefore, holding this conference here is significant,” he said.

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